Swansboro – September 11, 2014
Clif Holloman and Brandon Creech with a 52 lb. wahoo that bit a ballyhoo behind a Blue Water Candy JAG at the Rise while they were trolling on the “King Finz.”
Rob, of Sandbar Safari Charters, reports that anglers have been seeing an excellent spanish mackerel bite just off the beach around Bogue Inlet. Trolling Clarkspoons or casting metal jigs to schools of fish feeding on the surface is the way to connect with the spaniards. Some larger spanish are looking for meals around nearshore structure in the early morning hours and will bite live menhaden or finger mullet on light wire leaders.
The king mackerel seem to have moved offshore a bit, but anglers are finding steady action with them at spots 10+ miles out. Warm water in that range has dolphin feeding alongside the kings, and anglers can hook both on live baits or dead ballyhoo and cigar minnows.
Flounder fishing has been excellent around nearshore structure within 5 miles of the beachfront recently. Anglers are fooling the flatfish while bouncing 2 oz. bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp baits on the bottom around the structure.
The flounder bite has also been excellent inshore lately, with anglers finding plenty of action in the shallow bays and marshy creeks of Bogue Sound. Some are falling for Gulp baits, but live finger mullet have been the best bet for anglers looking to connect with the inshore flatfish.
Tim Johnson, of Ocean, NC, with a 27″ red drum that bit a Betts Halo Shrimp off his Bogue Sound dock.
The heat last week scattered the area’s red drum out a bit, but anglers are still finding some reds feeding on the flats and more in slightly deeper water along the ICW and White Oak River. Live finger mullet are tough for the reds to turn down, and anglers can also hook up while working topwater plugs or Gulps and other soft baits.
Some speckled trout and black drum are feeding around structure in the ICW and White Oak, and both will pounce on live shrimp. A variety of lures will fool the specks as well.
Chesson, of CXC Fishing Charters, reports that anglers have been finding some solid wahoo action while trolling the Gulf Stream recently. Finding bait schools along the break is the way to find the wahoo, and anglers can then tempt them to bite skirted ballyhoo or a variety of other lures.
Dolphin are still looking for meals in the ‘Stream as well, and they will also pounce on trolled ballyhoo.
Botttom fishing around structure in the 150’ depths lately has produced some excellent hauls of big triggerfish. Squid and cut baits will fool the triggers.
Closer to the beaches, amberjacks are schooled up around high-relief structure 10+ miles out and will attack live baits, vertical jigs, and sometimes topwater poppers. Some cobia are in the same areas and have a tough time turning down a live bait.
Rich, of The Reel Outdoors, reports that anglers are starting to see some speckled trout action inshore, and the fish have begun moving from the creeks and rivers out into the sound. The speck bite will only get better as the temperatures fall a bit. Anglers are fooling them on live baits, topwater plugs, and a variety of soft plastic baits.
Red drum and flounder are feeding in many of the same areas and will also pounce on live baits and soft plastics (and topwaters for the reds).
More reds are feeding along the beachfront and biting shrimp and cut baits that surf and pier anglers are soaking.
Gage Gattone, of Rocky Point, NC, and Kris Erickson, of Castle Hayne, with the results of a double redfish hookup they found behind Topsail Island. The 25 and 27″ reds fell for live baits.
Some fat pompano and other panfish are feeding in the breakers as well, and they’re biting shrimp, bloodworms, and sand fleas.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel have also been ruinning the beaches recently and biting metal casting lures that anglers are working. Boaters are putting together big catches of the spaniards while trolling Clarkspoons and other lures.
A few larger spanish are feeding around nearshore structure in the ocean and biting small live baits on light wire leaders.
Anglers are still catching a few king mackerel nearshore, but the bite isn’t what it was a few weeks back.
Boaters making the run to the Gulf Stream are reporting excellent wahoo action along with decent numbers of dolphin. Both are taking an interest in skirted ballyhoo.
Mike, of Bogue Inlet Pier, reports that anglers are hooking good numbers of spanish mackerel from the pier (some to 5+ lbs.) on casting lures (like Gotcha plugs) and while fishing live baits.
One 24 lb. king mackerel also fell for a live bait off the end of the pier last week.
Bottom fishermen are decking some sea mullet, black and puppy drum, pompano, and spot, primarily on shrimp.
